Stump-socket for artificial limbs.



No. 692.803. Patented Feb. 4, I902. L. STUMPF.

STUMP. socKET For? ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.

{Application fl led Jan. 28 1901.)

(No Model.)

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEO STUMPF, OF COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGN OR TO WV. W. SWEENEY CO., OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

STUMP-SOCKET FOR ARTlFlClAL LIMBS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 692,803, dated February 4, 1902.

Application filed January 28, 1901. Serial No. 45,125. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEO STUMPF, a citizen of the United States, residing at (Jovina, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stump-Sockets for Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a specification. It is an object of my invention to provide a stump-socket for artificial limbs which will combine the advantages of maximum strength, minimum weight, superior cushioning, a perfect fit, and protection against chafingand absorption of moisture, and which will avoid heating.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Figure I is a perspective view of my inven- Vention, parts being broken away to show the construction. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sec tion of a stump-socket embodying my invention. Fig. III is a cross-section of said stu mpsocket.

My newl'y-invented stump-socket for an artifical limb comprises a ferrule a, formed of a veneer of yucca brevifolia conformed to the stump to be fitted and having its edges 1 2 squared and joined together. Suitable means, such as the stitches b and the leather lap c, are provided for holding the edges of the yucca veneer together.

d indicates a lining of the material commercially known as mooseskin, which is the specially-prepared skin of the hog-deer, or axis. Preferably athimble e of said mooseskin is fitted inside said moose-skin lining and forms a substantial inward extension of said lining at the upper end of the socket.

This thimble is not to be inserted in the socket, however, until after the stump has shrunk. f indicates a leather thimble fitted inside said moose-skin lining.

g indicates a protecting and strengthening case outside the yucca-brevifolia ferrule.

The moose-skin lining d is bent over the upper end of the yucca-brevifolia ferrule and the leather thimble f is bent over at the top to form a cap for the ferrule and the lining.

In practical use the inner extension or thimble of the moose-skin lining is fitted to the cast the same as the main lining; but it.

is not placed in the socket until after the socket has been worn for atime and the stump has shrunk. Then the leather thimble will be withdrawn and the moose-skin thimble or inner extension of the lining will be put into place and the leather thimble f will be ripped at the upper portion about two-thirds of the way down and the edges cut ofi or lapped, as may be found desirable, to reduce the size of the thimble, so that it will fitinside the mooseskin thimble. The stump-holding thimble f is loose from the other parts, so that it can be withdrawn, and the inner moose-skin thimble can also be withdrawn, thus allowing the socket to be aired and dried whenever occasion may require; but in actual practice it will seldom be found necessary-to withdraw the loose leather thimble after the moose-skin thimble has been placed in-position.

The moose-skin referred to is preferably about one-fourth inch in thickness, more or less, and affords'a self-fitting cushion which will not come into ridges or lumps.

The yucca-brevifolia veneer is softened by steaming or boiling before it is applied to the plaster cast of the stump, (not shown,) so that it maybe perfectly conformed to the cast. While the soft veneer is thus applied to the cast it is to be wound closely and tightly with elastic webbing (not shown) about an inch wide, more or less, or some other suitable winding, which will cause the veneer to take on the exact shape of the cast. After being thus wound the veneer is allowed to thoroughly dry on the cast and is then removed and the winding removed, and then the edges 1 2 are fastened together by the stitches shown or by any other desired means.

What I'claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- In a stump-socket, the combination with a protecting and strengthening case and a caseholding thimble, of layers between the case and thimble, composed respectively of yucca brevifoliaconformed t0 the stump to be fitted, and the material commercially known as moose-skin, being the specially=prepared skin of the hog-deer.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses,,at Los Angeles, California, this 8th day of J anuary, 1901.

. LEO STUMPF;

Witnesses:

JAMES R. TOWNSEND, JULIA TOWNSEND. 

